The central concept, or message, in a literary work. It is rarely stated directly and must be inferred by readers. Theme is expressed through recurrent images, actions, characters, and symbols. Contrary to the subject, or topic described in a work, theme is a comment, observation, or insight about the subject.
Paraphrased from: NTC's dictionary of literary terms by Kathleen Morner and Ralph Rausch, page 223 (found in classroom!)
Examples of theme in some text
The themes in The Awakening are independence and sovereignty.
Edna strives for independence from her role in society as an ideal mother/wife portrayed by Adele Ratignolle
Mademoiselle Reisz asserts her independence through living alone her pursuit of the art of music ----
The theme in Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys is the racial differences that exist between the island natives and the English.
There is disagreement between Antoinette's Creole family and the native Jamaicans, which is expressed with the burning of their house by the Jamaicans in the beginning of the novel
Rochester doesn't understand why Antoinette hugs and kisses Christophine, representing a cultural miscommunication ----
One theme in The Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia-Marquez is honor.
Honor is regarded as highly important in the culture of the town in which the narrative takes place.
All the characters in the book are influenced by the construction of honor.
The story is based around the ideal of honor and defending it. Therefore, it is one of the themes of the story.
e.g. “We killed him openly, but we’re innocent. Before God and men, it was a matter of honor.” [56]
One theme in The Stranger by Albert Camus is the meaningless of life.
Camus tries to incorporate the theme of the meaningless of life through his protagonist Meursault.
Meursault's indifference and apathy towards situations portray the theme of the meaningless of life.
Meursault comes to the realization after knowing he will be executed that death is inevitable. That no matter when he dies, whether during the execution or naturally, he will die in the end. In this realization, the theme of the novel reveals itself even more.
e.g. “I felt that I had been happy and that I was happy again. For everything to be consummated, for me to feel less alone, I had only to wish that there be a large crowd of spectators the day of my execution and that they greet me with cries of hate." [123]
Theme
The central concept, or message, in a literary work. It is rarely stated directly and must be inferred by readers. Theme is expressed through recurrent images, actions, characters, and symbols. Contrary to the subject, or topic described in a work, theme is a comment, observation, or insight about the subject.
Paraphrased from: NTC's dictionary of literary terms by Kathleen Morner and Ralph Rausch, page 223 (found in classroom!)
Examples of theme in some text
The themes in The Awakening are independence and sovereignty.
The theme in Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys is the racial differences that exist between the island natives and the English.
One theme in The Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia-Marquez is honor.
- Honor is regarded as highly important in the culture of the town in which the narrative takes place.
- All the characters in the book are influenced by the construction of honor.
- The story is based around the ideal of honor and defending it. Therefore, it is one of the themes of the story.
e.g. “We killed him openly, but we’re innocent. Before God and men, it was a matter of honor.” [56]One theme in The Stranger by Albert Camus is the meaningless of life.
- Camus tries to incorporate the theme of the meaningless of life through his protagonist Meursault.
- Meursault's indifference and apathy towards situations portray the theme of the meaningless of life.
- Meursault comes to the realization after knowing he will be executed that death is inevitable. That no matter when he dies, whether during the execution or naturally, he will die in the end. In this realization, the theme of the novel reveals itself even more.
e.g. “I felt that I had been happy and that I was happy again. For everything to be consummated, for me to feel less alone, I had only to wish that there be a large crowd of spectators the day of my execution and that they greet me with cries of hate." [123]